Roxana Robinson

Every December, the New York Times releases their annual “Notable Books” list, which celebrates the year’s greatest literary achievements. Studded with big names and remarkable first-time authors, it represents the cream-of-the-crop in literary talent, and serves as a touchstone for what—or whom—belongs in everyone’s TBR piles. Earlier this month, the Times announced their 2017 honorees. Among the 100 chosen were Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Book of Joan and Naomi Alderman’s The Power—both of which echo the year’s biggest pop culture talking point, The Handmaid’s Tale. Recent award-winners also made the list: Lincoln in the Bardo (Man Booker Prize), Sing, Unburied, Sing (National Book Award, Fiction), and The Future is History (National Book Award, Nonfifction) all earned spots. At the same time,…